I had a good day yesterday…my birthday. I did absolutely nothing. That’s good and bad. While I worked in the office early and had a staff meeting that lasted all morning due to various reasons, I was unable to go to the Y or for a ride. 🙁 However, I had lunch with Jo and Tami (our adult daughter who is on Fall Break from teaching K kids…thanks Tami), then drove to Terre Haute to pick up my Pathfinder. It had been in the shop since last Thursday. That’s when the fun began.
I did absolutely nothing. Unless you count reading, laughing and eating ice cream nothing. I call it doing what I like to do when I don’t have anything else to do or want to do! 🙂
Honestly? I needed it. After a very busy weekend (I had a wedding rehearsal and ceremony), preaching twice in the morning, and small group I needed a slow day. Plus my schedule in 2023 has been full and hectic. Time away is needed by me and Jo, but such is our life right now and the holidays coming, that it isn’t going to happen. I do have several outlets (biking and the Y), but sometimes one needs more. Sometimes time away is essential. We are hoping 2024 works out for us.
What started me thinking of this (besides my own fatigue and realization)? I read a quote by former MLB player, Andrelton Simmons: “Most people carry scars that others can’t see or understand.” He walked away from baseball in 2020 due to mental health issues.
Several thoughts went through my mind when I read about him. First, we are sometimes very good covering up the real “me.” “Never let ’em see you sweat” is the saying that goes through my head. To let someone see who you really are is often seen as a sign of weakness to admit we even have a struggle. NO. NO it’s not! It is a sign of strength to admit it.
Second, no one dare criticize another who is going through a crisis. I need to constantly remind myself that “there but by the grace of God go I.” That could have been me. He is right. We all have scars. I know I do. And I need to remember to do as Joe Simon once sang about: “Walk a mile in my shoes.” Truthfully, we all need to walk a mile in someone’s moccasins before we dismiss or criticize them.
Jesus empathized with us. Hebrews 5:15 says, “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” He knows. He understands. He stands with us. Next to us. Holding us up. Giving us His strength.
Don’t hide. Don’t pretend all is okay. Get help. Be honest. You are not alone.
Happy you had an opportunity to slow down and relax for a day. Those days are so important to be able to stay engaged in the regular course of the week.
Seek first to understand… It is easy to quickly jump to judgement when one lacks understanding. Also recognizing that a trigger for one individual may not be for another. We all come with a history and our own set of weaknesses.
I agree with your statement of not hiding and pretending… Been there done that have a closet full of t-shirts.
As you have probably experienced Ryan, we need more than a day here or there to slow down. May I add a t-shirt or two to you closet?
Too many of us hide behind the lie that everything is okay, Bill, even when it isn’t. “Put your best face forward” comes to mind.
But all of us have to rest from our labors at some point in order to reconnect with God and ourselves. I’m so glad you enjoyed a restful and carefree birthday, my friend! It does a body good!
Blessings!
You’re right Martha and hiding itself is tiring. After yesterday, I can say, “I need more.” 🙂
So happy you had a wonderful birthday, Pastor Bill! God is so good.
I did Cheryl. Thanks. And yes he is.
Sounds like your birthday was just the present you needed. Happy to hear that.
When someone is hurting instead of offering to pray for them, pray with them right then and there. When you pray out loud for someone, and they hear your pray to God for them, it touches their heart. It can be a very powerful experience, for both of you. Only God can heal, or in His sovereign power answer the pray in His way, His timing. If you can, offer to continue to pray with them through out the trial. We all have the tools and resources to pray for someone, we do not need anything that we do not already have with us when we are listening to someone’s hurts.
it was Gail. Thanks for the nice words. I like your suggestions. Praying for them right then and there is good. Sadly, I missed that opportunity about two weeks in church. I’m still wondering why I didn’t think about it till later.